Latch



JunevZ, 1931. E. w. NORTH ETAL 1,807,658

- LATCH Filed nay '7, 1928' s Sheets-sheet 1 E. w. NoRTi-l ETAI.

LATCH V Filed May '7, 1928 June 2, 1931.

`5 Sheets-Sheet 2 711 11.-- lllllllllllll/ /f .Y .-51 ga?,

June 2, 1931. 1,807,668

E. w.` NORTHET AL A LATCH Filed May 7. 1928 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented .lune 2i, 1931 UNITE?. STATES PATENT OFFICE EDWIN W. NORTH AND LLOYD ANDERSON, OF ROCKFORD, ILLINOIS, ASSIG-NORS T0 NATIONAL LOCK C0., 0F ROCKFORD, ELLNOS, A. COEPGEATON GF DELAWARE LATCH Application mea May 7, v192s. serial No. 275,826.

This invention relates to latches in general and more particularly to latches of the type adapted for use on refrigerators, cabinets,

and the like.

Latches of the above type are frequently constructed with means for holding the latch bar in inoperativ-e position during the closing of the door, so that it will clear the keeper and not impose unnecessary strains on the latch mechanism during the closing, a trip being provided in conjunction with the keeper to release the latch bar and cause it to engage with the keeper afterit has cleared the same. These latches are frequently desired to be used on either side of a door. In order to do this, it is necessary that the latch be adapted for use either as a right or left hand latch.

It is accordingly the primary object of this invention to provide a latch of the above type adapted to cooperate with a trip on the door jamb for causing the latch bar to engage with the keeper after it has cleared the same and which may be readily converted into a right or left hand latch.

Other and further objects of this invention will be apparent as the .same becomes better understood from an examination of the specification and claims in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 represents a fragmentary View partly in section of a door and jamb provided with a latch and keeper embodying this invention.

Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the latch in another position,

Fig. 8 is an elevational view taken from the left of the latch as viewed in Fig. 1,

Fig. e is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing the same latch operable as a left hand latch,

Fig. 5 is a section taken at the line 5-5 of Fig. 4f,

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 4 of a modified form of latch embodying this invention,

Fig. 7 is a section taken at the vline 7 7 of Fig. 6, i

Fig. 8 is a section taken at the line 8-8 of Fig. 6, showing parts in elevation,

Fig. 9 is an elevational view partly in section of a modified form of latch mechanism embodying this invention,

Fig. 10 is a section taken at the line 10--10 of Fig. 9,

Fig. 1l is a detail plan view of the latch lever of the latter latch removed, and

Fig. 12 is a detail perspective view of one of the parts of the latter latch removed.

Referring to the drawings more particularly, numeral 11 represents a door on which is mounted a latch mechanism represented generally by the reference character 12. A keeper' 13 of the usual type is mounted on a j amb 111 adjacent the edge of the door and is adapted to cooperate with the latch mechanism as will be hereinafter described.

The latch mechanism 12 includes a base plate 15 on which is mounted a frame structure 16. A latch lever 17 is supported within the frame 16 above the plate 15 and is pivoted on a pin 18 supported between said plate and frame. mounted above the lever 17 below the top of the frame 16 with its coils surrounding the pin 18 and its ends extending forwardly and compressed together between a pair of integral lugs 2O on opposite sides of the lever forwardly of the pivot. The eXtreme ends of the spring 19 extend forwardly of the lugs 20 between a corresponding pair of lugs 21 formed integrally upon the frame 16 whereby the lever is yieldingly held in horizontal or central position. Between the plate 15 and the lever 17 there is mounted an abutment member 22 presenting upper and lower shoulders 23 and 24- respectively. This abutment member 22 is mounted c'oncentrically with respect to the lever 17 on the pin 18 and is provided with oppositely extending lateral arms 25. The abutment member 22 may be pivoted about the pivot 18 to bring the shoulder 23 in the position shown wherein it may be engaged bythe lever 17 to hold the same in inoperative position, as viewed in Fig, 2 so as to cause said lever to clear the keeper 13 during the closing movements of the door.

During the extreme closing movements of the door, after the lever has cleared the keeper it will engage a trip 26 integral with said keeper which will cause the lever to be disengaged from the shoulder 23 and by the A helical spring 19 is Leonesa which it is being pivoted will move rearwardly against its corresponding lug 5l on the carriage to move the same rearwardly on the frame structure 47 against the action of the spring 53. When the lever 46 is released,A

the spring 53 tending to move the carriage 4S forwardly on the frame structure 47 will tend to restore said lever to central predetermined position with respect to the secondary base 44. As in the previous embodiment movement of the latch lever will not cause relative movement of the lever 46 with respect to the secondary base totake place until the latter has been anchored as shown in Fig. 9, by engagement of one of the retaining screws 54 with one of the arms of the secondary base. After the latch mechanism has been attached to the door and the secondary base 44 has been anchored, to determine whether the latch is to operate as a right hand latch as illustrated, or a left hand latch, the lever may be rocked relative to the secondary base to engage said lever above the abutment member 49. The abutment mem ber 49 will then hold the lever in inoperative position until the same is engaged bythe trip on the keeper to cause said lever to engage the keeper.

In the modification just described,it will be apparent that the latch lever may be actuated between a pair of off-center positions either one of which is capable of being the latching position, the opposite then being the inoperative position.

In each modification shown, the abutment vmember may be adjusted to permit the use of the latch as either a right or left hand latch by swinging said member to one eXtreme or the other of its arc of possible adjustment.

If it is desired to use the latch as an ordi nary latch without the trip feature for releasing the latch lever after the same has cleared the keeper the abutment member may be adjusted to a neutral position centrally .of such arc of possible adjustment bringing the two arms on the abutment member in poe sition where they may be secured forwardly of the rear retaining screws. In the modi- {ication shown in Figs. l to 4 inclusive, the

.abutment member 22 may be adjusted by applying a screw driver or other tool to one trade as the latch bolt, latch lever, and latch bar, all of these terms enjoying the sanction of good usage, and as applied to a latch of his type meaning the same member. In the claims this member is referred to as the latch bolt.

We are aware that many details may be changed without departing from the principles of this invention and we donot wish, therefore, to be limited to the details shown or described.

We claim:

l. In a latch, the combination of a. base, a latch bolt pivoted thereon and capable of being moved to one of two opposite ott-center positions, and an abutment member pivoted concentrically with respect to said latch bolt capable of being selectively adjusted with respect to the path of movement of the bolt to a position where it may be enUa-ged thereby for holding the same in either of said ofcenter positions, the abutment member being provided with a pair of oppositely extending arms, either one of which is adapted to be engaged by one of the retaining screws for the latch for anchoring the abutment member.

2. In a latch, a latch bar and means for pivoting the same, said bolt being movable to either of two opposing oflcenter positions, a bolt locking member pivoted concentrically with respect to said bolt and movable to either of two positions where it may lockingly engage said bolt to hold the latter in a corresponding offcenter position, and means for securing said locking member in either of its two said positions.

3. In a latch, the combination of a latch bolt and means for pivoting the same, said bolt being movable to either of two opposite offcenter positions, a bolt locking member movable to either of two positions where it may lockingly engage said bolt in a corresponding oicenter position of the latter, and means for securing said bar lockingmember in one of its said positions, and means independent of said bolt locking member for yieldably urging said bolt out of either offcenter positions.

4. .In a latch, the combination of a latch bolt and means for pivoting the same, said bolt being movable to either of two opposite ofcenter positions, a bolt locking member movable to either of two positions where it may lockingly engage said bolt in a corresponding offcenter position of the latter, and means for securing said bolt locking member in one of its said positions, and means independent of said bolt locking member pivoted concentrically with said latch bolt for yieldably urging the latter from inoperative position.

5. In a latch, the combination of a base and a latch bolt pivoted thereon for movement to either of two opposite ofi-center positions, a bolt locking member and means for selectively fixing the same at either of two positions where it may be engaged by the bolt for holding the bolt in either of said o'- center positions.

6. In a latch,the combination of a base and a latch bolt pivoted thereon for move- CTR ment to either of two opposite oli-center positions, bolt locking member and means for selectively fixing the same at either of two positions where it may be engaged by the bolt for holding the bolt in either of said olf-center positions, and yieldable means for urging,` the latch bolt away from either oil-center position in which it may be held by said lecking member.

7. In a latch, the combination of a base and a latch bolt pivoted thereon for movement to either of two oppositeoil-center positions, a bolt locking member pivoted concentrically with respect to said latch bolt and means 'tor selectively ii ng said member with respect to the path of movement of the said bolt in either of two positions where it may be engaged by the bolt for holding the latter in a corresponding off-center position.

8. The combination with a keeper and trip associated therewith, of a latch aeehanism comprising a base and a latch bolt pivoted thereon for movement to either of two opposite ofi-center positions in either of which positions it may engage with the trip depending upon whether the latch used as a right hand or a left hand latch, and a bolt locking member and means for selectively lixingl the same with respect to the path ot movement of said bolt at a position v, nere it may be engaged ly the bolt for holding' the latter in either oip4 said olf-center positions.

9. The combination with a keeper and a trip associated therewith7 of a latch mechanism comprising a base, and a latch bolt pivoted thereon i'or movement to either et' two opposite oill -center positions in either oi which positions it nia y engage with the trip depending upon whether the latch is used as a right hand. or left hand latch, a bolt locking inember and means for selectively fixing' the same with respect to the path or' movement of said bolt at a position where it may be loclringly engaged by the bolt for holdingthe latter in either of said olii-center positions and yieldable means for urging the bolt from whichever off-center positions it may be in when it becomes disengaged from said locking member to thereby cause the bolt to engage the keeper.

1). ln a latch, the combination ol a base and a latch bolt pivoted thereon for movement between one operative and two inoperative positions, a bolt locking member and means for lining the same at either of' two positions with respect to the path of movement ot' the bolt whereby the member may lockingly engage the bolt for holding,- the latter in a correspondinginoperative position.

ll. In a latch, the combination orp a base and a latch bolt pivoted thereon for movement between one operative and two inoperative positions, a bolt locking member and mea-ns for fixing the same at either of two signatures.

EDVIN W. NQRTH. LLOYD ANDERSON. 

